Apple began accepting Apple Watch pre-orders at 12:01 AM Pacific today and disclosed further AppleCare+ pricing details for the wrist-worn device in the process. AppleCare+ for Apple Watch plans cost $49, $59 and $1,500 for the Sport, Watch and Edition models respectively, while accidental damage coverage is subject to an additional service charge of $69 for Sport, $79 for Watch and $1,000 for Edition.
Apple is also offering AppleCare+ combo plans that cover both an Apple Watch and iPhone for a combined price of $149 (Apple Watch Sport and iPhone), $169 (Apple Watch and iPhone) and $1,600 (Apple Watch Edition and iPhone). These plans are likely offered for convenience purposes, rather than being a discount, as they cost one dollar more than purchasing AppleCare+ for Apple Watch and iPhone separately.
One potential benefit of purchasing an AppleCare+ combo plan for Apple Watch and iPhone is that Apple appears to be covering undamaged iPhones that are up to six months old. Apple's standalone AppleCare+ for iPhone plan requires that customers purchase the warranty plan within 60 days of buying an iPhone. You are still required to add an iPhone to the AppleCare+ combo plan within 60 days of buying the coverage.
AppleCare+ extends an Apple Watch's warranty coverage to two years from the date of purchase for the Sport and Watch, and three years for Edition, and provides accidental damage coverage for up to two incidents. Without AppleCare+, purchases of the Apple Watch Sport and the stainless steel Apple Watch will be covered by a limited one-year warranty for hardware repairs and 90 days of complimentary support.
Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below.
Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent.
Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone.
In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs.
On his blog Daring Fireball,...
Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by Juli Clover
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week.
Past Launch Dates
Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports.
iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch.
According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by Tim Hardwick
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020.
If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...
AppleCare Plus for Sport in US = $49. $49 = £33. Allowing for taxes, and rounding it up, it should be £39, but its £49.
AppleCare Plus for Collection in US - $69. $69 = £46. Using the same method, it should be £49, or at least £59. However, its the same, £69.
AppleCare Plus for Edition in US - $1500. $1500 = £1020. Using the same method, it should be £1099, or at least £1119. Regardless of that, AppleCare Plus is £1500.
I really think the prices should be lower in the UK.
UK prices include VAT,
US prices don't include sales tax normally as they vary from state to state.
AppleCare Plus for Sport in US = $49. $49 = £33. Allowing for taxes, and rounding it up, it should be £39, but its £49.
AppleCare Plus for Collection in US - $69. $69 = £46. Using the same method, it should be £49, or at least £59. However, its the same, £69.
AppleCare Plus for Edition in US - $1500. $1500 = £1020. Using the same method, it should be £1099, or at least £1119. Regardless of that, AppleCare Plus is £1500.
I really think the prices should be lower in the UK.
